Changing Heros

    Any of you who have any attachment to superheros probably knows about the news that has been happening recently on three of them; two comic-book wise, and another movie-wise. But, if you didn’t either grow up with comic books either by your choice or because you happened to have a dad like mine, then perhaps you aren’t as ‘savvy’…unless you watch late night talk shows. I know Jimmy Fallon has mentioned…two of these, I think. In any case, as a summary, Thor (the Norse-god with the hammer) is now to be a girl in the comics; Captain America (super old super solider) is to be black; and Wonder Woman has a whole new look for the Superman vs. Batman movie.

    Now, I’m all for wanting more diversity in the superhero world, but changing these ‘classic’ characters? I’m not sure how I feel about this. With Thor, he’s a Norse god. GOD. God implies guy. I know, they’re planning the story line to be something with him losing his powers or so, maybe Odin claiming him unworthy, and some other woman being able to pick up the hammer and ‘become’ Thor by default, since only Thor can pick up the hammer. I think if they want a new Thor-like character, they can just pick another Norse goddess and make her into a hero, yes? Sure, that might be argued to be ‘only’ giving Thor a female counterpart, but last I checked he already does. She’s not a ‘major’ player, but still. Thor is a guy, not a girl

    Now, for the black Captain America. The story is, from what I hear, to be something with the current CA having his powers drained and then training Sam Wilson AKA Falcon (who is apparently already a hero?). Basically Falcon is getting an upgrade and, the original CA will be looking closer to his age and train him. Why can’t they just give Falcon more publicity instead? I know, I know, Captain America symbolizes America, or did during WWII, and he should be reflective of the more diverse and racially agreeable country. But, well, you don’t mess with the classics if you ask me. Like I said, I love diversity, but please, leave the heros be as they are. Because, after a female Thor and black CA, what comes next? 

    Wonder Woman’s change is much more subtle and following the ‘darker’ aspects of the recent Super Man and Batman movies. I think the new actress playing her fits the look, but I’m sure those who grew up with Wonder Woman’s show and such will think she can’t compare tot eh original. And, let’s be fair, no one usually can compare to the first. It’s like the Sound of Music where Carrie Underwood played the leading role; of course she couldn’t replace the original, but she did pretty damn good in my opinion. Now, I only have a few small issues with her. Her outfit, I like it. It is more Amazonian and fight-like, and less spandex. While she’s supposed to be, more or less, like a female Captain America, she is an Amazon, so I don’t see too much of an issue with a  costume change. Of course if they could’ve kept a bit more to the ‘original’ costume, it would please die-hard fans more, probably. The only small issue with the costume is that she looks a lot like Xena, but she’s Amazonian, too, so…it works. But her lasso of truth seems to be brown now. I don’t care if they’re trying to make it match her outfit, it ought to be gold still. It doesn’t seem so truthy with the new color. If it it actually a very bad picture and is silver, which some close-ups seem to show, I can work with that. So long as it is a metallic color, I’m happy. She has her bracelets, the eagle on her chest, and I do hope her invisible plane.

    I heard a rumor she could fly, and i hope that is wrong since, well, she has an invisible plane for that. She’s also wearing heels now, and that just seems a bit..impractical. But it could be worse.

      Yes, overall, I’m not overly impressed with these changes. The Wonder Woman one isn’t as bad as some are saying, and mostly they’re upset over the fact the actress isn’t as ‘built’ as they think she should be. And I applaud the wanting for diversity in comics, but…you shouldn’t change the classics for that. Add new characters. Build these new ones up so that they match the hype the originals have. Give new ones movies, comics, action figures (dolls), etc.

    Like I said, love diversity, but I like my classics.